NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 09: Tyrann Mathieu #7 of the Louisiana State University Tigers is tackled by Dre Kirkpatrick #21 of the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2012 Allstate BCS National Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 9, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The 2012 college football season is roughly a month away and Thursday, the first major preseason poll was released. The USA Today Coaches’ Poll once again predicts the power in college football is located in the Southeastern Conference.

LSU took the number one position by a razor thin margin over fellow-SEC power Alabama. The Crimson Tide actually received more first-place votes, but LSU edged them in total points which determines the ranking.

Following Alabama was the USC Trojans, the Oklahoma Sooners, and Oregon Ducks to round out the Top 5.

The first Florida school to make the list was the Florida State Seminoles which actually received a first-place vote in the poll. FSU checked in at number seven, just barely behind SEC East favorite, the Georgia Bulldogs.

FSU returns a very talented team on both sides of the ball and should be ready to make some serious noise on the national front if everything comes together correctly for the Noles.

Rounding out the Top Ten were the Michigan Wolverines, the South Carolina Gamecocks, and the Arkansas Razorbacks.

The SEC placed five teams in the Top Ten and seven total in the Top 25.

The only other Florida school in the Top 25 was the Florida Gators which checked in at number 23. The Gators are looking to rebound from a horrible year by Florida standards where they finished 7-6. Florida’s fate will be determined by getting some consistent play at the quarterback position.